There are many ways to establish a long-term romantic relationship. Many couples decide to marry and make their relationship official. Others simply forgo other romantic entanglements, often while cohabitating with each other.
Couples can establish committed intimate relationships (CIRs) without ever deciding to marry. Unlike certain other states, Washington does not technically recognize common law marriages that become legal marriages by virtue of long-term cohabitation. That being said, the law does recognize that CIRs exist and provides guidance for how couples can navigate this kind of breakup process accordingly.
What do those who established committed intimate relationships need to know about handling the property they share?
Most property and income belong to both partners
Under current Washington state statutes, those in CIRs have to divide their property if they break up much like those who get married do if they divorce. The state considers both partners to have an interest in any assets and income accumulated by the other during the relationship. Both partners may also have responsibility for one another’s financial obligations.
A very thorough review of financial records may be necessary to establish what property the couple needs to share and what assets one partner can protect as their separate property. The couple may need to negotiate with one another directly to resolve disputes about property division.
If there are disagreements about the nature of their relationship or how they divide the assets and debts acquired during the relationship, then the matter may require the attention of a family law judge. The courts can hear cases related to property division after the end of a committed intimate relationship.
Even if the ownership records for certain assets show that only one person owns those resources, they may still have to divide the value of those assets at the end of the CIR. It is worth noting that spousal maintenance is typically not an option after the end of a CIR regardless of how long the relationship lasted.
Securing an appropriate property division arrangement is of the utmost importance for those navigating the end of a committed intimate relationship. Individuals who learn about Washington state statutes can use their knowledge to push for a fair outcome. People may need help asserting themselves so that they have the resources necessary to rebuild their lives, and that’s okay.